the turntable is a technics SL-D1 and the cartridge is a Audio-Technica AT311EP, no idea how old the cartridge is, but its not as old as the turntable, i know that

It's a shame the cartridge manufacturers never standardized on something like the Shure's 'trackability index' where they spec'd the maximum recorded velocity (basically volume) the unit could handle before losing contact with the groove wall (splattering). Back in the day, the best moving magnet cartridge I used was the Shure V-15 Type V. It could handle more than the cutter head could put on the disc and just simply sounded excellent - better than earlier Shures, Stantons, Pickerings, Bang and Olufson and anything out of Japan. But then came the CD and the turntable went the way of the typewriter. Mostly not missed.

Looking at the 'frequency analysis' in Audition, it seems a pretty loud on the top end particularly when the pre-emphasis of the LP is taken into account. That would be a tough disc even for the Type V.

A 311EP should not have velocity tracking issues like what is being described.

I'd clean the cartridge and double-check the tracking force (with a scale!). If neither of those work I'd start worrying about the stylus being worn, or the suspension hardening up. I'd grab a new 311EP stylus - they are cheap nowadays - and see what happens.

A 311EP should not have velocity tracking issues like what is being described.

I'd clean the cartridge and double-check the tracking force (with a scale!). If neither of those work I'd start worrying about the stylus being worn, or the suspension hardening up. I'd grab a new 311EP stylus - they are cheap nowadays - and see what happens.

Some good advice there - my Dad's old table (with an AudioTechnica moving coil cart) exhibits these same problems on any vinyl pressing made after 1990(ish) - the groove modulation is just too aggressive for the cart to handle, so you get nasty sibilance distortion and crunched highend frequencies. Shame, because it's a nice cart (and it cost enough when it first came out!) but it still sounds very good for most stuff.

Get your Dad a good birthday present, buy him a new cart

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